... to spread the cement of brotherly love and affection, that cement
which unites us into one sacred band or society of brothers, among whom no
contention should ever exist, but that noble emulation of who can best
work or best agree ...

Masonic quotes by Brothers

MASONIC PENALTIES

by
Roger M. Firestone

This article first appeared in The Scottish Rite Journal (under
its former name, The New Age).

In recent years, a movement has developed to do away with the
traditional penalties associated with the most basic of a Mason's obligations as
a member of the fraternity. In Pennsylvania, for example, along with some other
states, the alterations passed without much notice by the rest of the world, but
in some cases, notably that of the Grand Lodge of England in early 1987, this
change has been deemed sufficiently significant that the news was reported on
network radio and in major metropolitan newspapers. Unfortunately, the treatment
given by reporters was at best light, if not derisive. Can we consider a change
that has made the Craft a subject of amusement to be beneficial? And what are
the causes that have impelled this change after so many years?

The origins of Masonic penalties have been reviewed in a number
of Masonic journals at some length. Reference is often made to the Mysteries of
ancient Greece and Rome, whose initiates were required to bind themselves under
stringent threats of bodily harm before the secrets of the gods were revealed.
Although there is no evidence of the direct transmission of these penalties from
the ancient mystagogues to the founders of Freemasonry, in human cultures,
concepts once introduced are likely to recur when similar situations arise,
especially if those concepts serve a useful purpose. It is therefore worthwhile
to investigate the purposes that the penalties associated with Freemasonry might
serve.

The first point to be dealt with is that the actual penalties
that may be inflicted upon a Mason by his brothers, which is to say the
organized structure of the Craft are those of reprimand (also called
admonition), suspension, and expulsion, and no others. This information is
clearly stated in monitors. In the Pennsylvania Grand Jurisdiction, for example,
it is these penalties that now are identified to the candidate when he comes
under obligation. The Morgan Affair notwithstanding, there are no authentic
records of other penalties being exacted for unMasonic conduct. Until the recent
changes, to continue with the Pennsylvania example, it was made clear to the
candidate that the penalties described were only symbolic. Under these
circumstances, it cannot have been concern for the candidate's state of mind
that led to the change, since it was one of form rather than substance. Discreet
inquiries elicited the information that it was pressure from outside
organizations that motivated these alterations in the ritual.

This should be a matter of concern for all Masons. The
historical degrees of the Scottish and York Rites caution us more than once of
the dangers to free men of the influence of groups not organized around
principles of freedom. Besides the threats to the Craft posed by the numerous
totalitarian regimes of the world--threats we are probably aware of and prepared
to face--there is within our own free country a developing adversary attitude
towards a free-thinking and selective organization such as ours.

For example, Masonic lodges are no longer welcome on military
bases because they are selective of membership--a far cry from the time of
George Washington, when the traveling lodge played a vital role in the morale of
the soldier. A misguided spirit of "egalitarianism" has subordinated the rights
of free assembly for individuals when charges of discrimination are brought. In
recent Senate confirmation hearings for an appellate judge, the attempt was made
to consider Masonic membership a disqualifying element for public service, no
matter the long history of service by Freemasons in all branches of the Federal
and state governments. Given these circumstances, it seems particularly unwise
at this time to make accomodations to the demands of outside organizations for
changes in the ritual; this creates a precedent for other alterations that would
undermine our landmarks and perhaps threaten the very existence of the
Fraternity.

Moving on from the matter of why the changes may be taking
place, we turn to the Masonic purposes that the penalties, symbolic though they
are, may serve. As we have noted, the penalties being discussed may not be
inflicted on a Mason by his brothers. Indeed, the language and nature of the
obligation shows this. A Mason's obligation is an undertaking between him and
Almighty God, not a contract between him and the Lodge or any other group of
men. This is why such an obligation cannot be laid aside--it is not in the power
of the Master of the Lodge, nor of any man, to dissolve such an undertaking.
Thus we see that the penalties are invoked by the candidate upon himself, freely
and voluntarily, as a reminder of the serious and weighty nature of his
obligations. A child may "cross my heart and hope to die" without being taken
seriously, but a mature adult, and we consider no others for Masonic membership,
should understand clearly that an obligation falsely sworn before God is an
offense against the Third Commandment and merits severe consequences. In the
legendary history of the Craft, although for a different offense, certain
craftsmen invoked upon themselves just such punishments as we here allude to.
Only after declaring themselves liable to such penalties were they subjected to
them.

Turning from legendary history to more authentically recorded
events, it is worthwhile to note that the penalty of death has often been
inflicted upon Masons by governments and other organizations. Jacques DeMolay is
merely the example best-known to most of us, through the recounting of his
martyrdom in Masonic degrees. Within the lifetimes of some of us, many Masons
perished under Hitler for no crime other than that of belonging to an
organization that allows each man to think for himself. Indeed, the Nazis came
for the Freemasons well before they came for the Jews. Tyrants have long
understood the threat that an organized group of free men poses to their rule.
The Soviet Union published anti-Masonic literature in profusion, and Masonry has
been suppressed in Iran. Penalties of great severity belong in our ritual as a
reminder that any or all of us may be at some time called upon to pay the
ultimate price for our belief in freedom, as represented by our membership in
the Craft.

Since the symbolic penalties of Masonic obligations serve the
purpose of reminding us of the seriousness of our undertakings and of the
possible consequences of membership at the hands of outside organizations, it is
with the utmost care that we should consider modifications to this element of
Freemasonry, especially in the interest of satisfying the objections of an
outside group. In the pursuit of more members, many suggestions have been made
that would alter long-established usages, to paraphrase Jefferson. Let us never
forget that quantity is not a valid substitute for quality. Better that we
should have fewer Masons, and those sincerely committed, than a large body
uncertain of their goals and unsure of their purpose.

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